Foreign Actor Caught Red-Handed by Electronic Spy Agency in Possible Election Funding Scheme for 2019 and 2021

Following the 2021 elections, Canada’s electronic espionage agency gathered crucial intelligence regarding the “distribution of funds” by a foreign entity, as revealed in the interference inquiry on April 4.

The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) specializes in gathering signals intelligence (SIGINT) and is typically prohibited from collecting data on Canadians or within Canada. However, information presented during the inquiry indicated that they were able to intercept or breach foreign communications to uncover details related to election interference.

According to a summary of a commission interview with CSE executives, the agency obtained its most significant intelligence in connection with the 2019 and 2021 elections shortly after the latter.

Deputy chief of SIGINT Alia Tayyeb testified to the remarkable nature of the intelligence, which was promptly shared with the Minister of National Defence, the RCMP, CSIS, an elections integrity task force, and intelligence partners from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and the U.K.

Although the collected intelligence was of foreign origin, it contained the identities of Canadians involved. These identities are masked by CSE when sharing their findings with external agencies due to legal and privacy obligations. However, other agencies may request the revelation of identities to pursue investigative leads.

CSIS and the RCMP were reportedly provided with the identities of Canadian individuals mentioned in the report. CSE indicated that they were unaware of the subsequent actions taken by these security agencies or whether the described fund distribution actually occurred.

Former CSE associate chief Dan Rogers, now deputy National Security and Intelligence Advisor, appeared at the inquiry on April 4 but refrained from providing details on the intelligence.

When questioned by commission counsel Erin Dann, Mr. Rogers confirmed that the intelligence pertained to potential fund distribution.

Intercepted communications or hacked documents are often deemed more reliable than human-sourced information since they originate from primary sources. However, details regarding the methods of information acquisition and its nature were not disclosed in this instance. The identity of the foreign actor involved also remains undisclosed.

Recent allegations have surfaced regarding the Chinese regime distributing funds to preferred candidates. An intelligence document from the Privy Council Office cited by Global News in March 2023 highlighted a significant, covert fund transfer earmarked for the federal election.

Various officials involved in countering foreign interference, including those from Global Affairs Canada, the RCMP, and CSIS, testified on April 4 during the inquiry.

RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme disclosed that no foreign interference investigations took place during the 2019 and 2021 elections, although some were initiated post the 2021 election. The exact number of investigations opened and their current status were not revealed.